2027: Uzodimma, Izunaso set for high-stakes Orlu Senate showdown
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s declaration of interest in the Imo West Senatorial seat during the ongoing nomination of candidates may have upset political calculations in the state chapter of
- Sandy Onor picks PDP presidential nomination form
- Adelabu, supporters in protest march over Sharafadeen Alli’s endorsement
- Ex-minister says Tinubu gave him green light to contest
- Lagos NLC, TUC Back Hamzat’s governorship bid
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s declaration of interest in the Imo West Senatorial seat during the ongoing nomination of candidates may have upset political calculations in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The district is currently represented by Senator Osita Izunaso who is seeking a return ticket.
Party sources told The Nation that the contest for the ticket by the governor and Izunaso may prove a hard nut to crack for the party.
A similar controversy has erupted in the Oyo State chapter of the party where the immediate past Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu and his supporters are strongly disputing Friday’s endorsement of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s governorship candidate by some APC elders.
Adelabu said in Ibadan yesterday that the situation could jeopadise the party’s chances.
Also yesterday, a member of the 9th National Assembly from Cross River State, Senator Sandy Onor , joined the race for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential ticket in 2027.
Uzodimma had represented the zone in the Senate twice between 2011 and 2019.
Party sources said although the two men are eminently qualified, deciding on who to pick the ticket this time around requires wisdom otherwise the unity of the party may be destroyed.
It was gathered that both camps have intensified consultations with stakeholders on their aspirations.
Adelabu, supporters reject Alli's endorsement
Adelabu, addressing some leaders and stakeholders of the party from Ibadan Southeast Local Government Area in Ibadan yesterday, wondered why those who endorsed Senator Alli were against direct primary.
He warned that the party could not afford to approach the 2027 election as a divided house, hence the need for it to adopt a selection process that would not give room for bad blood and animosity.
"Any endorsement done without the consent of the state APC chairman and its executives, together with other gubernatorial aspirants is none and void, and it won’t stand,” he said.
He dismissed Alli’s endorsement as a joke and bastardisation of democracy.
He said: “President Tinubu is a progressive and a democrat to the core. He is fair and will not be partial to anyone.
"The President had said we should go for direct primary in choosing our gubernatorial candidate in case consensus option fails. Whoever says President Tinubu has endorsed any aspirant as the party's guber consensus candidate is a liar."
Sandy Onor picks PDP presidential nomination form
Onor, who represented Cross River Central in the Red Chambers between 2019 and 2023 ,pledged to reposition the PDP and return it to national leadership.
He spoke shortly after obtaining the form at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja.
Onor said his decision to enter the presidential race was driven by appeals from party stakeholders and supporters nationwide.
He said the PDP remains Nigeria’s most viable platform for democratic governance.
“This is a party that has showcased the beauty of democracy, demonstrated resilience and given Nigeria direction and prosperity,” he said. “It remains a people-centred platform with the capacity to deliver national renewal.”
He acknowledged the party’s recent internal challenges but insisted it had emerged stronger and more united.
“We have overcome our worst anxieties and weathered the storm. If given the mandate, we will consolidate on these gains and lead the party to greater heights,” Onor added.
Responding to questions regarding the party’s national leader and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike—who has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu—Onor stated that Wike has a right to his decision.
According to him, while Wike remains a leader in PDP, the party maintains the independence to field its own presidential candidate.
He added that it would be unfair if Wike did not support Tinubu under whose tenure he is serving as a minister, noting that the FCT minister had taken permission from the party before accepting the cabinet position.
In his response, the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, welcomed Onor’s aspiration and assured him of the party’s support within the framework of a transparent process.
“We recognise your intention and vision. The party will provide the necessary guidance as the process unfolds,” he said, reaffirming the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy ahead of the presidential primaries.
Lagos NLC, TUC back Hamzat’s governorship bid
The Lagos State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have declared their support for the governorship aspiration of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in 2027.
The Chairperson of state NLC, Agnes Funmi Sessi, and the TUC leader, Abiodun Aladetan, gave the endorsement during Friday’s May Day celebration held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Yaba,Lagos.
It is in addition to previous endorsements by key stakeholders in the APC, including the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who publicly identified Dr. Hamzat as his preferred successor. The Governor described the decision as a consensus aimed at ensuring continuity in governance and sustained development in Lagos State.
Further backing has come from prominent party leaders such as the APC State Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, and the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, alongside various interest groups, including the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN).
The NLC and TUC in Lagos State had previously endorsed the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat ticket during the 2023 gubernatorial election, a partnership that culminated in their re-election for a second term.
Reacting to the growing wave of endorsements, Dr. Hamzat expressed appreciation to all supporters, reaffirming his commitment to building on the achievements of the current administration and advancing the development of Lagos State with integrity, inclusiveness, and continuity.
Kogi women purchase, present forms to Yahaya Bello
Women across Kogi Central Senatorial District ,in a solidarity gesture,have bought and presented APC senatorial expression of interest and nomination forms to former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.
The women said their action was both a reward for Bello’s unprecedented commitment to women empowerment, security, and inclusive governance, and a strategic move to ensure the continuation of those policies at the national level.
Their spokesperson, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, said that rather than waiting for political godfathers or elite structures to determine representation, they chose to directly invest in a candidate whose leadership, they claimed, tangibly impacted their lives.
She recalled how Bello, during his tenure as governor, appointed a female Secretary to the State Government, women vice chairpersons across the 21 local government areas, the first-ever female Aide-de-Camp to a state governor, a female Head of Service, female commissioners, alongside various empowerment programmes for the girl child in Kogi State.
Ekiti South APC stakeholders endorse Adaramodu for 2027 Senate race
Stakeholders of the APC in Ekiti South Senatorial District have endorsed Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu as the consensus candidate of the party for 2027.
News of the endorsement was conveyed to the State Chairman of the party in a letter by stakeholders following “consultations with leaders and members” of the party across wards, local governments and the senatorial district.
The stakeholders said the move was in line with the party’s directive encouraging consensus arrangements where possible.
They stated that the decision was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 13, 2026, at the senatorial office on Moshood Road in Ikere Ekiti, adding that the endorsement enjoyed “overwhelming support and without dissent.”
Group purchases Taraba APC governorship nomination form for Kente
The David Sabo Kente Political Organisation (DSKPO) yesterday purchased the APC) governorship Expression of Interest and Nomination Form for Chief David Kente .
Mr Godwin Vilannah, Leader of the group, who obtained the form at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja said in Jalingo that Kente possessed all requirements to turn the state around if elected for the office.
Vilannah asked the party leadership to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants under the party.
“We must seize this opportunity and the party must create a level playing field for all who are seeking the governorship ticket on its platform.
Fubara's loyalist, Ihunwo, picks APC forms for Rivers House of Assembly
A loyalist of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Chijoke Ihunwo, has purchased the APC nomination and expression of interest form for the House of Assembly election.
Ihunwo in a statement told the people of his Obio-Akpor Local Government Area that he picked the forms to contest the position of a member representing Constituency 1 in Rivers Assembly.
The aspirant said the step was part of his commitment to public service and his resolve to contribute meaningfully to the growth, development, and overall well-being of his constituency.
"It is a decision inspired by my deep connection with our people, a clear understanding of our collective challenges, and a strong desire to provide purposeful, responsive, and people-oriented representation at the State Assembly," he said.
Ihunwo vowed to remain fully committed to continuous engagement with stakeholders, community leaders, party faithful, youths, women, and all residents of Obio/Akpor.
